About
Alnus subcordata is a rapidly growing, medium-sized tree characterized by its conical form. It features glossy, broadly heart-shaped leaves that are mid-green and have serrated margins. The bark is brown-grey and fissured, offering visual interest throughout the year. This species produces elongated male catkins that hang down, as well as shorter, upright female catkins, which are succeeded by woody fruit. It can thrive in poor or waterlogged soils.
About the genus
Alnus comprises robust deciduous trees and sizable shrubs characterized by their rounded foliage and, during winter, noticeable catkins.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- Iran, Transcaucasus
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, but tolerates a range of conditions including poor drainage. Can make a fast-growing screen on wet sites
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to alder sucker, alder leaf beetle and leaf-mining sawflies
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to phytophthora root rots and honey fungus